O'Donovan caught Jordy Buijs with a flailing arm in the 10th minute and was controversially dismissed after a lengthy review, although Newcastle brilliantly made light of their disadvantage against the A-League's dominant force.

They hit the front two minutes before half-time when Nikolai Topor-Stanley went down in the box under a light push from Buijs, who saw Dimitri Petratos convert from the spot after the VAR failed to spare Sydney.

Bobo headed his 22nd goal of a prolific season in trademark fashion to bring Graham Arnold's men level but Newcastle would not be denied.

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Andrew Nabbout's brilliant solo run and finish from outside the area sent the McDonald Jones Stadium into raptures before the hour and cut Sydney's advantage at the summit to a still-commanding eight points.